Pool's fest all about cool fun

Parks have festivals and stadiums have concerts, but Westerville's Highlands Park Aquatic Center is hosting its own summer celebration Saturday, July 19, with its annual SummerFest.

ANDREW KING, ThisWeek Community News

Parks have festivals and stadiums have concerts, but Westerville's Highlands Park Aquatic Center is hosting its own summer celebration Saturday, July 19, with its annual SummerFest.

The event, running from noon to 8 p.m. at 245 S. Spring Road, aims to attract families and swimmers of all ages and is the marquee event of the pool's year.

"It's one of the bigger events of the year at Highlands," said Mike Phillips, Westerville recreation administrator. "Each hour, we'll have a different activity going on, whether it's poolside or in the pool, based on the activity."

Phillips said activities will range from traditional water balloon tosses and relay races to a huge inflatable obstacle course in the pool.

"It's a day of kind of celebrating the citizens and guests and having some additional fun poolside," Phillips said.

Westerville Parks and Recreation has been putting on the event since its inception in 2010, when it served as a farewell to the old aquatic center.

Parks and Recreation Director Randy Auler said the event is another connection to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and fits what community members said they want.

"It's just another activity that we do out at the pool," Auler said. "We're not trying to make it a festival or anything like that ... but (the community) wants us to be sure we continue to provide a variety of special events."

Aquatic center season pass holders get free access to SummerFest. One-day tickets for the event are $8.25 for adults and $5.50 for youths.